Published at Friday, March 30th, 2018 - 05:08:44 AM. Hockey Gear and Equipment. By Henrike Elvira.

Enthusiasm is contagious. If you find it hard to drag yourself into the rink and onto the ice for practice how can you expect your players to be engaged and motivated? We have a few tricks to keep everyone excited about practice. Sometimes we'll pump music over the PA system to get players moving. Or we'll start practice with a small area game to get the competitive juices flowing.

The key to a backhand shot is the element of surprise. Since the shot is seldom practiced or used in a game many goalies aren′t used to the shot. They′re not used to how the puck is going to come off the stick whether it′s going to go low or high left or right. And when you don′t have to waste time moving the puck to your forehand you don′t allow the goaltender time to set up.

Checking is one of the most demanding skills in hockey and also one of the most overlooked by players coaches and fans. It is probably the least glamorous of all skills but one of the most important when it comes to defensive team play. Checking is a skill designed to aid in the recovery and possession of the puck. It should not be used to intimidate or injure an opponent.